Top Things to Buy in Turkey: Souvenirs Shopping Guide

Turkey is a melting point of cultures, where traditions of the Middle East, China and Russia all meet. While visiting you may like to purchase what Turkey has to offer. Below is a list of the top 10 things you might want to buy souvenirs and gifts for family and friends.

Turkish Tea

Turkish black tea is a signature part of the Turkish lifestyle, as well as an important social and cultural ritual in Turkey, often served to guests as a symbol of hospitality. It is also a common drink shared among friends and family and often enjoyed with a light snack or pastry.

Traditional Turkish tea is the most suitable type to purchase, it's both authentic and original. Turkish tea leaves come from Ceylon tea grown in the Rize region of Turkey. The flavor is mellowed but aromatic. To find the best leaves visit the spice bazaar in Istanbul and The Grand Bazaar where you can find authentic tea showcased so you can appreciate the aromatic smells.

Turkish Back Tea

Another famous tea flavor is apple tea, often brewed with apple powder. This powder is from naturally ripe apples. The taste is a combination of sweet and sour altogether a fragrant flavor. Canned, bag-packaged apple tea is sold throughout Turkey and is easy to find.

Turkish Mosaic Lamps

Turkish lamps are one of the most dazzling, colorful and unique antiques you will come across. Turkish lamps are different they feature shades made of carefully arranged and glued-together glass pieces cut into various shapes and arranged in patterns. Each Turkish lamp is handmade ensuring every lantern is unique.

Mosaic Lamps

The Grand Bazaar is known for its breathtaking Turkish lamps, you can purchase them in different shapes and sizes. They can also be found in Sultanahmet and Beyoglu where there are several shops specializing in mosaic lamps. They offer a wider selection of lamps than the markets and they may be able to customize lamps to your liking. Not only is this a suitable souvenir to take back home but a one-of-a-kind gift for friends.

Turkish Delight (Lokum)

Turkish delight is a soft jewel-like treat made with a combination of starch and sugar, known for its endless flavors. The traditional flavor is made with rosewater and the most popular flavor has additions such as hazelnuts, walnuts, pistachios, coconut shreds, fruits such as lemon, mint, pomegranate, saffron, rose petals and chocolate. You can also visit the Bahcekapi and try some of the lesser-known Turkish delight flavors.

Turkish Delight Lokum

To buy the best Turkish delight head to Ali Muhiddin Haci Bekir known as the oldest producer of Turkish delight in the country. As you enter the shop you will see an endless sea of Turkish delight. Another famous store is Hafiz Mustafa, they are known for their golden standard Turkish delights. They are best known for using quality raw materials to flavor their desserts. Apart from the natural fruit extracts, they also provide different packaging for those who intend to travel and even packaging for gifts.

Turkish Ceramics

Turkish ceramics are an important part of Turkish culture and heritage. Origin in Iznik Western Anatolia, they are often decorated with intricate geometric patterns, floral motifs, and calligraphy and are known for their vibrant colors and detailed designs. They are a practical choice for those who want to invest in durable and long-lasting home decor.

Turkish Ceramics

The Grand Bazaar is yet one of the best locations. Offering a variety of shops to choose from, with endless shapes and designs. Another location is The Arasta Bazaar a smaller and quieter market near the Blue Mosque in Istanbul's Sultanahmet neighbourhood. The market features many shops selling traditional Turkish crafts and souvenirs, including Turkish ceramics. Iznik, Bursa (2 hours from Istanbul) is home to many ceramic workshops and studios. You will be able to find a wide range including some antiques and contemporary pieces.

Baklava

Baklava is the iconic dessert of Turkey, you can find it everywhere. Every sweet shop, cafe and restaurant in Turkey is lined with endless rows of baklava. Gaziantep is the Turkish capital of baklava, if you visit the city you can sample the best baklava but you can still try premium baklava across Turkey.

Baklava is a rich pastry dessert made of flaky layered buttered filo dough, filled with nuts most popular being pistachio. It is then baked and drenched in sugar syrup. A good baklava is not entirely sweet and melts in your mouth when you bite into it. A baklava is also often enjoyed with a cup of tea or coffee. Flavors of baklava include sugar-free, chocolate, pistachio baklava, walnut, and many more varieties.

Although Turkish baklava can be found anywhere, Karakoy Gulluoglu in Istanbul is the go-to place, having started in 1843 it is known as the first and best producer of baklava in Turkey. The shop has almost every kind of baklava on display. If you are buying it as a souvenir, make sure you tell the vendor, they'll wrap it to maximize its freshness so you can share it with friends and family.

Turkish Pistachio

Turkey is the third largest producer of pistachios. Gaziantep is known for having the best quality available producing more than 14,000 tons each year. They are known to be deep and rich in flavor with a vibrant green color that's entirely natural.

Turkey produces two types of pistachios: Antep and Siirt. Antep pistachios are slim, small and have a brown shell mainly used for desserts while Sirrit pistachios from Eastern Turkey are round, fat and have pale beige shells mostly eaten as a snack.

The great thing about Turkey is you can find pistachios nearly everywhere. If you would like more fresh ones then the grand bazaar and Egyptian bazaar are great options. But you can find them in most supermarkets packaged well and suitable for travel.

Turkish Coffee & Coffee Accessories

Turkish coffee and tea are a country staple and a must-try, but what makes drinking Turkish coffee and tea unique is the types of cups and accessories used.

You may want to take back a copper cezve which is a traditional Turkish coffee set in which freshly brewed coffee is served, not only will it elevate your coffee experience but also decorate your kitchen. You can find a variety of coffee and tea accessories in many markets and shops throughout the country.

Turkish Coffee

The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with a wider range of options to choose from, offering a variety of coffee and tea accessories, including copper coffee and teapots, cups, and saucers and traditional or modern versions.

Turkish Rugs and Handmade Carpets

Turkish rugs and carpets are known for their intricate designs and patterns often unique to specific regions. They are traditionally handmade, using techniques that have been perfected over centuries. They are made from high-quality materials such as wool, silk, and cotton. This way they are durable and hold their color.

Handmade Carpets

Nakkas Oriental Rugs is a well-known rug shop in Istanbul's Grand Bazaar. The shop specializes in high-quality Turkish rugs and carpets and has a knowledgeable staff who can help you find the perfect piece. Sahinler Carpet a family-owned rug shop located in Istanbul's Fatih district, is another shop with a large selection of Turkish rugs, ranging from traditional to modern styles and offering competitive prices. If you visit Cappadocia head to Goreme's Muze Cd for another high-quality Turkish carpet destination.

Spices

Spices are an integral part of Turkish cuisine and are special due to their variety. Turkey has a diverse climate and geography allowing for the cultivation of various spices. Sumac, a tangy spice often sprinkled over grilled meats, salads, and dips. Cumin is often used in kebabs or refreshing mint.

Spices

Istanbul Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar) is a historic market, one of the largest and most famous spice markets in Turkey. The market features hundreds of stalls selling a wide variety of spices.

Kadikoy Market in Istanbul is located on the Asian side of Istanbul and is known for its fresh produce, seafood, and spices. The market is popular among locals and offers a wide variety of high-quality spices at affordable prices. You can shop like a local getting the best prices for the best quality.

Turkish Dried Fruits

Turkish dried fruits are highly regarded for their quality and taste. Turkey is one of the world's leading producers of dried fruits, producing a wide variety including apricots, figs, dates, raisins, cherries, mulberries, etc. They are often sold in a mix, called "Mevlevi," a traditional snack in Turkey. They are known for their high nutritional value and are often used in traditional Turkish desserts and snacks.

You can find quality dried fruits at Hafiz Mustafa 1864 a historic confectionery shop located in Istanbul's Eminonu neighborhood known for its high-quality variety of dried fruits, including figs, apricots, and dates.

The Grand Bazaar features many stalls selling Turkish snacks and sweets made with dried fruits, as well as a variety of dried fruits sold separately, where you chose from the selection of dried fruits and can have the shop owner individually pack each fruit for you. They can also be found in supermarkets.

Turkey is a great travel destination offering some of the most interesting items, gifts and souvenirs to purchase. Nothing better than taking back home some of Turkey with you to enjoy and share, it is recommended that you plan to purchase some of the items listed above. Travel with Odynovo and enjoy Turkey to the fullest.